King Laments American Tennis Success

SPRINGFIELD, Mo--The Springfield Lasers will continue their World TeamTennis season opening homestand Monday night against the Texas Wild.

World TeamTennis features men and women playing together in a team format.

It's something that's been a part of Springfield's summer sports schedule for 19 seasons.

World TeamTennis founder Billie Jean King was in town Sunday for the season opener.

Before the match with Philadelphia, she met with fans.

She was asked about the state of American tennis at the grand slam level.

For the first time since 1911, no American was alive in the round of 16.

Billie Jean King won 39 grand slam titles, 20 of them at Wimbledon.

"I hate it that we're not winning. I can't tell you how much I hate it," said Billie Jean King. "Going to Wimbledon we used to rule. In the 70's the game was growing so fast you couldn't even get a court. Yea it's hard, but we have to keep trying. And we need part systems like this. Access, access, access.."